ARC Review: Kathryne Kennedy - The Fire Lord's Lover

Book One of the brand new series

THE ELVEN LORDS

A darkly delicious new fantasy world of sizzling romance amid the pageantry of Georgian England.

If his powers are discovered, his father will destroy him...
In a magical land ruled by ruthless Elven Lords, the Fire Lord's son Dominic Raikes plays a deadly game to conceal his growing might from his malevolent father, until his arranged bride awakens in him passions he thought he had buried forever.

Unless his bride kills him first...
Lady Cassandra has been raised in outward purity and innocence, while secretly being trained as an assassin. Her mission is to bring down the Elven Lord and his champion son. But when she gets to court she discovers that nothing is what it seems, least of all the man she married...

Then Dominic and Cassandra together discover an unspeakable evil, one that threatens the destruction of the magical realm they would give their souls to save...

History of the Elven Lords

Read chapter 1 & 2 of The Fire Lords Lover

I reviewed THE FIRE LORDS LOVER for Realms On Our Bookshelves and the complete review can be found -here-

A part of my review:  
Kathryne Kennedy has again managed to bring a world to the reader that is brimming with wonderful fantasy ingredients like elemental magic. It’s incorporated in many facets of this world I ventured in from buildings to social structure creating a fully realized setting. And not only the magic enticed me again, there’s a game with rules that transforms England and its inhabitants in to pawns for the all powerful Elven Lords to play with. With an easy flowing writing style I absorbed the back story of how the Elven Lords came to play a cruel game, to concur land and possess the King for their own court...

Kresley Cole is evol I tell ya!

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release: August 24, 2010
book 10 in Immortals After Dark series.

Cover Summary:
A dangerous demon she can't resist...

Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he's pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard.

A maddening witch he aches to claim...

Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving.

Trapped together in a savage prison...

For them to survive, Malkom must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When he becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul?

Kresley Cole is an evol woman! I just hopped over to her website and found a loooooong, but never long enough, excerpt that made my addiction to the IAD series itch. Yet how many days do I have to wait for the full tale? Like a thousand....or something. Hey, it certainly feels that way! Actually my first full day as a woman of *whispers* thirty-four is spent with Demon From The Dark. Or at least, it better be or else I'd go stir-fry crazy. The twenty-third of August is my birthday and I'll be in denial of the numbers *looks up for some divine intervention* – which means...Dear Nïx; a b-day pressie of a signed copy of Demon From The Dark would make me squeeeeeeeee in joy and would definitely be a band-aid on the thirty-four candles on my b-day cake *grins innocently* Amen.

So who else is waiting for the tale of Malkom Slaine and Carrow Graie? I must say that since I didn’t know much about either I remained somewhat patient, but after reading this excerpt it definitely got my blood pumping and I want more of this couple! I could not resist and share two quotes from the excerpt but for the full shot of crack, go –here-

So now the countdown has commenced…T minus…

Description: Light blue eyes. Defined musculature. Over six and a half feet tall. Black horns, curving back from just above his ears. Identifying marks: A large, winding tattoo on his right flank, typical demon piercings.
Background: Born more than four hundred years ago to a prostitute demon mother. Father unknown.

Just as she dragged the weapon into the brush behind her, the attacker plowed into the clearing. Carrow craned her head up. And up . . . She lost her breath.
The being's body was nearly seven feet tall and splashed with blood. Large horns curved back from above his ears. His lips were parted, exposing upper and lower fangs. Another demon.
And, gods, this one was big. His broad chest and brawny arms were covered in a mesh chainmail shirt, his muscles rippling with strength under the metal. He was clad in leather pants, and they too were spattered in crimson. His long hair was tangled around those horns and hung over his dirty face. A sparse beard covered his cheeks.
Surely, this couldn't be . . . him. Her target. Nothing about his appearance indicated vampirism. Please don't let it be him.
When their eyes met, she gasped. His irises were a light blue, as described in the dossier. Severely disturbed? Violently territorial? Affirmative.
The blue flickered, turning blacker by the second, usually a sign of lust or rage in a demon. Neither boded well for her.
Just as she studied his appearance, his gaze raked over her body, over her hiked-up skirt and bared thighs. At once, his horns straightened and flared back, signaling his attraction to her.
When he raised his face, his eyes narrowed, as if with recognition. He clenched his huge hands into meaty fists, then opened them, splaying his claw-tipped fingers. Again and again he made fists, then released them, like he missed something he'd long held on to.
His shaft was hardening—impossible to miss that. When he sucked in ragged breaths, grasping at his chest, a ridiculous suspicion arose, but she tamped it down.
This demon looked to be on the razor's edge of lust. For all Carrow knew, he'd been out in this wasteland for centuries without a woman, as hard up as Asmodel.
And if she didn't figure out a way around it, this one was about to be on top of her, his hulking body heaving over her.
"I-I'm asking you not to hurt me," she said, studying his expression. His harsh face evinced nothing, no comprehension of her words. So no English. Trothan native? Check. His only reaction was an ever-growing erection.
Just as she'd begun to suspect he was beyond any communication, he slammed a fist over his chest, then pointed at her, rasping something that sounded like "Ara." His voice was rough, as if it'd been dragged over gravel.
When he stalked closer, she spied a tattoo, a large one that looked like black flames licking up his side, his right side.
Hekate help her, this was Carrow's target, Malkom Slaine. And the Order had been woefully mistaken. There'd be no coaxing him anywhere.
Change of plans. She wasn't going to lead him to the portal. She was going to lug his unconscious body there. After repeatedly stabbing him.
But for her plan to work, she needed him to charge her, to fall upon her.
She motioned for him, crooking a finger.
His eyes briefly widened, but he didn't speed up his approach.
Damn it, Slaine! Charge me!
Mentally steeling herself, she moistened her lips as she subtly inched her knees apart. . . .

Review: A culture shock with Alexandros - The Spartan Slave

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THE SPARTAN SLAVE by Alexandros
Publisher: Whiskey Greek Press
Genre: Torrid Romance Historical
SubGenre: Torrid Romance Fantasy
EBook formats ISBN: 978-1-59374-711-4
Rating: Erotica - Controversial

Cover Summary:
Leonidas, our Spartan hero, is a man of honor. Borne by the fatal, almost irresistible force of love, his judgment is clouded and he voluntarily accepts to become a lowly slave, shorn of all possessions, naked and under the complete control of his sensuous mistress, who is none other than the Queen Mother of Mithir. He does this all for the love of Zarira--the Queen Mother's daughter. How will Leonidas extricate himself from the situation he finds himself in? Will he be able to redeem his family honor and pride and regain his position as the future chief, which is his birthright? Is he doomed forever to be a slave, or can he somehow find a way to set things right? Find out the answers to these questions by reading The Spartan Slave, which is sure to astound, enchant and please you, as the mysterious secret kingdom of Mithir is the most sensuous place on Earth.

My Review: I met Leonidas in his hometown where he just received the status of Irens, he is now old enough to be responsible for the training of 12 boys and girls. With his twenty years he only recently started to enjoy the sensual experiences with females and with the size of his body and member he is sought after by many women becoming more skilled in the affairs of desire.

Leonidas and his friend Kyros are enjoying their new function within the village but at a gathering of elders he recognizes his mother and witnesses her adultery. The host always entertains with a certain group of women but never did Leonidas felt a sting of resentment until now as he saw his own mother among the group of women. His mother, though he did not know her well, loved his father and he watched their expression of love many times. This sets the stage for a new journey….

This is not an erotica novel for the faint of heart, I can tell you that. I was fascinated by the story but simultaneously felt thrown way out of my comfort zone. The norms and values from the time period in this novel clashed with my very 21st century norms and values. I love the history, the culture and customs described but the erotic element felt very pleasure driven without the emotions. It’s acceptable because it were different times and at one third along in the story I settled in more but lack of a better explanation, it was quite the culture shock to experience at first!

Leonidas is an eager man wanting to learn how things come to be and when a group of representatives of Mithir reach their village his father Lysander is urging his son to get acquainted with the customs of Mithir as he will be visiting this country in a few months. Why his father asks this of him Leonidas doesn’t fully understand but obeys and undergoes an intense study in the next few months.

Upon arrival in Mithir it is a beautiful woman who catches his attention and never leaves his mind again. But the Queen Mother is asking all his attention, from him, his well equipped member and feral body. With a palace filled with wives, body slaves and servants it is a paradise for a young man with a stamina he is revered for in his hometown. Though as the woman never leaves his thoughts and events slowly unravel itself it is Leonidas who has to make a choice between his duty or his heart….

Alexandros almost painstakingly clear evokes a vivid picture of times long forgotten. With a no-nonsense style of writing he awakens a village in my mind’s eye that upholds the Spartan way and this bears the origin in the founding father of this village: Lysander, who had a strong influence on the ways of now-a-day. I feel from the very first pages that the author has a profound knowledge of the customs in those days intriguing me with explanations of the customs, rituals and rules but it also took a lot of pages to describe it all, making it a very slow-paced read and there for I feel you need to have an interest in the era or culture.

Leonidas takes center stage in this novel and Alexandros created a man of his time. He receives a Spartan education teaching him to handle all sorts of pain and turning him in to an ultimate Spartan warrior. Next to warrior side Leonidas has a natural acceptance of the passionate nature of mankind. Still he ponders, wonders about the why of things and will seek answers and information, this will one day make him a strong and wise leader. I wasn’t as much spellbound by him or the other characters but oddly fascinated, like I was glimpsing into the past looking at another culture that is so not like this day and age. Kyros, Leda, Gaia and Mahilya as the Queen Mother all enhanced the authentic feel of this tale with each of them adding to the plot as intrigue is never far from those who wield power.

As this is an erotica novel almost nothing is left to the imagination and the Mithir culture evokes images of sensual orgies as they revere the male organ, they see the man as a life-bringer, their bodies to be thoroughly explored as they in return worship the female body. This brings and endless possibility and variety of erotic encounters. It definitely has some pushing boundaries, steaming and hot ways of sharing each other bodies and especially with who, as the norms and values are also different and might not be to every readers taste! The love aspect in this story also feels different than the mainstream erotica novels with very little interaction between Leonidas and Zarira and only at the very end do I get a glimpse of their emotions and growing love. Though I must add that the author has his reasons for this and is explained throughout the story, for me it was Leonidas story all the way which was interesting and acquainting me with a whole new world, lifestyle and time period.

The passion Alexandros has for the Greek, Roman and Macedonian culture is evident in this novel. It vibrates through the chapters giving me a unique tale though it’s maybe not for all erotic romance readers! Still if you do enjoy a good erotica novel with a rich culture imbedded in the story, and you’re interested in the Spartan era, I would say you could enjoy The Spartan Slave by Alexandros!

3 stars

It's becomming a weekly excersize...the bloghop :)

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1.Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
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I hope to meet and find wonderful new bloggers and visit some new-found bloggers from last week as well.

Review: Lissa Matthews - Sweet Caroline

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“Sweet Caroline” by Lissa Matthews
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Red Hots!
ISBN: 978-1-60928-029-1
Length: Novella
Price: 3.50
Publication Date: April 27, 2010
Cover art by Angie Waters

Cover Summary:
The second time around is even sweeter…with cherries on top.

Blue Jeans and Hard Hats, Book 1

Buck doesn’t do personal projects. Until he runs into a woman wandering the aisles of the local home-improvement store, looking lost and confused. Just the way this fantasy looks at him nearly buckles his knees. In a hot second, the successful owner of a contracting company becomes a simple handyman, ready and willing to get as personal as the lady will allow.

Since her less-than-golden marriage to the local golden boy ended, Caroline’s declaration of independence includes her own business, road trips…and nipple piercings. Now it’s time to cut the last tie to her old life, but the house needs some work before she can unload it and move to her dream cabin in the mountains. Hard as it is to admit, she needs a little help.

Over the next few months, he shows her his toys, like hammers and drills, and she shows him hers—like floggers and paddles. And their attraction is the tinder that could send Caroline’s plans for an independent life up in flames…

Warning: In this book, there are sightings of glass dildos, leather belt bindings, nipple rings, wicked clamps, cherry cheesecake and a hot, yummy handyman-type guy who’s really good with his hands…

My Review: SWEET CAROLINE starts with a provoking conversation in an adult toy store between Caroline and Buck and I don’t think the smokin’ hot chemistry between them ever went lower then smoldering. Talk about an opening line:
Quote Buck: “I’d have never guessed you’d be interested in clamps.”

Now that would get any woman’s attention and Caroline made sure her comeback was equally stimulating. It’s not that they haven’t met before, I mean, Buck is doing some construction at her house, yet it is the first time where the heat simmering between them is flirtatious vocalized.

Caroline is in the final stages of her divorce and all that is left to do is selling the house. It is a sign for a new start in life; she is her number one priority, her work, her pleasures, her independence, it invigorates her to explore this new phase in her life. Caroline is a likable woman and many female readers can relate to her. She has spine but also has vulnerable moments, she is a sensual woman and with the right man she feels free to release all of her passions.

That man is Buck, now Buck is a Dom and he has a crush on Caroline for a long time now. He is caring but he knows exactly what he wants and he is willing to go the distance to get it. Including to get the love of one woman who is about to start a whole new phase in her life. He has his light-hearted moments but he also has depth of character and he is very serious about Caroline and the relationship he desires with her.

Within the length of this novel, eighty-eight pages, Lissa Matthews managed to paint a convincing picture of a woman who is reinventing herself, taking charge of her life and is empowered by the decisions she’s making. I thought Buck might be a rebound guy but Caroline’s feelings never gravitated towards that and I could sense from the get-go there was more than sex play between them. The Dom/sub element is teasing and playful of tone with enough experience to make their lifestyle believable.

The only relationship conflict in this novella is the fact whether Caroline chooses for Buck and a relationship…or not. Buck doesn’t want to force Caroline in to anything she isn’t willing to give and Caroline needs to figure out if she wants Buck long-term. Their struggles are more told from their inner monologues rather then they lay it out in the open and work through the issue of a long-term relationship. They both had reasons which I understood at some level but I was mentally telling them to “just tell him/her!” They knew the attraction was real, that there was more to it than just a physical heat!

The D/s theme is one of my favorites and though I love it more intense and intricate, Lissa Matthews had some inventive erotic charged moments that rocked the passion between Buck and Caroline. The chemistry between them is a constant hum, pulling them together and it saturated this story with sweet sensuality to scorching, raw, pulse-pounding sex. If there is one thing I’m taking with me from reading SWEET CAROLINE then it’s that this author definitely has a knack for writing every day characters with sultry desires and having flirtatious dialogues.

The summer is around the corner and SWEET CAROLINE is one wicked hot erotic romance read to take with you to the beach or pool, that way you can cool of every now and then. Buck and Caroline will endear you and at the same time make you squirm in your seat.

3,5 stars

Quote Caroline:

She was in love with him. Or maybe it was simply a heavy dose of lust. It could be both and it really didn’t make a difference to her either way. She just wanted him. All of him. In her life, her home, and her bed. She wanted his groan of pleasure, his come down her throat. She wanted his hands on her skin, and his heat against her body while she slept. Last night with him had cemented the desire, the hunger. She was meant for more than she’d had before him.

Quote Caroline:

And, the two did go hand in hand. Buck and sex. He cared for her, talked with her, shared with her, but sex with him, submission to him in sex was more than she’d ever thought it could be. It was so damn good. She was often left exhausted, tested, sore, and primed for more.

Spoiler quote Buck:

He looked down into her eyes and kissed the tip of her nose. “You forgot a few things when you left.”
“I did?”
“Uh huh. You did.”
“Dare I ask what I forgot?” Not that she really cared. He was here. He’d brought whatever it was to her.
“Me.”

I fell in lurv! Review: Shannon McKenna - Extreme Danger

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Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Brava; (February 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758211880
ISBN-13: 978-0758211880

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book #5 in McCloud series
Main Characters: Nick Ward & Becca Cantrell
Book Origin: personal Library

Cover Summary:

ON THE EDGE
Nobody's home at the millionaire's estate on remote Frakes Island. And nobody seems to be watching. Becca Cantrell dives in for an illicit midnight skinnydip--and gets hauled out by a towering, hard-muscled guy with burning dark eyes. He seems to be in charge. Good. The man is the embodiment of her most intense fantasies. And she's up for risky thrills . . .

Nick Ward can't tell her that he's spying on a vicious Russian crime boss. Becca could be his worst enemy: an assassin sent to kill him, a call girl sent to distract him, or the worst scenario of all--a clueless innocent. Anyway he looks at it, she's trouble: beautiful, bare, dripping-wet trouble. The kind he can't resist.

She's not scared. After one taste of his hot mouth, Becca soon discovers just how fearless she can be. She'll need it, too--because things are about to explode on Frakes Island, launching Becca and Nick into danger they could never have imagined--and a passion that could destroy them both.

My Review: Did this novel take me by surprise! Everything you would desire from a McCloud novel is present in full force; the sex is off the chart hot, the suspense is spine-chilling good, the women are bold and feisty, the men are redefining the meaning of the word hero, and the villains are coldhearted, selfish creatures. Do I need to say more to those who are familiar with Shannon McKenna’s novels? I don’t think so, but I still have lot’s more to say!

I have read the entire McCloud series up to EXTREME DANGER and where was Nick all this time? I remember him vaguely as a secondary character who popped up once in a while when enemies had to go down for their crimes. Other than that, Nick Ward didn’t stick out for me but oh my, how he made an unforgettable impression on me as he takes the spotlight in his own story; EXTREME DANGER.

Nick Ward, he wooed me with his stoic appearance on the outside while there is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions bottled up on the inside. He fused powerful feelings with toe-curling hot sex as simultaneously the romance bloomed between him and Becca. Nick is somewhat socially inept, blunt yet charismatic and his actions come from a loyal and good heart. A little bit dark, a whole lot of vigor and loads of foot-in-mouth comments, spiced up with a dash of Neanderthal and a bit clumsy in the emotional department. It gives you a pretty good picture of who Nick Ward is. To say I loved him would be an understatement! I fell so hard, fast and intense for him I almost had lovey-dovey stars in my eyes as I read his story. He is the kind of man who will never be dull and has his own sense of honor. Nothing about Nick’s actions or thoughts seemed off for me, all of his traits fits him and he made the story all the better for it!

Now you think with such an attention grabbing hero the heroine might dwindle to the background but it isn’t so with Becca. She really came in to her own as the story is being told. Becca has many responsibilities with family and work which leaves very little room in her life for playtime. Until her engagement took a nosedive south. Now she wants adventure…wild, inhibited sex and some Becca-time. Her first act is skinny dipping in the indoor pool of her neighbor and this is where she meets Nick Ward; hello adventure and wild, inhibited sex! Becca portrays a mix of backbone, courage, fear, responsibility and a passionate woman. While I first thought she might be all talk and no action she owns up to herself and becomes a woman I truly got to admire and like.

The attraction simmering between Nick and Becca is evident from the moment they meet at the pool and it doesn’t take a lot for it to go supernova hot. The sex is ever much a part of the story as the romance or suspense is, and the dosage is given in toe-curling delicious scenes by the unabashed wordsmith Shannon McKenna is. The triangular ingredients of romance, sexual desires and suspense is what makes it so hard to put this novel down, each enhances the impact of the other. It may have started out as a mere sexual attraction but the love burgeoned between Nick and Becca at the same time. It is what raised the stakes so high, not only the unforgivable acts of the villains made it imperative to stop them, the plot took it to a whole other personal level.

I love the mystery in every McKenna novel and with this one the author hit the jackpot with me. Vadim Zhoglo’s cruelty knows no bounds, the lengths to what he’s willing to do in order to nourish his greed and sense of all-mighty power has no morals, no scruples and is more creepier then many villains I ever met in the many books I’ve read in the suspense genre. He is utterly vicious and the deeds done by him turn my blood cold. I wanted to see him crucified for what he did, I wanted revenge for all his actions, for all the pain he inflicted and for preying on the poor and defenseless. Of course my reaction to Zhoglo is what made the suspense edge-of-your-seat good. I invested my emotions, not only in the romance but also in seeing the enemies punished, it became a race against time, not so much in revealing the villain but in apprehending him for his dark deeds.

This is the kind of romantic suspense I can gorge on every single time! EXTREME DANGER is Shannon McKenna at her best and Nick Ward has entered my personal harem of book boyfriends.

4,5 stars

Quote Nick:
“Do us both a favor, Becca. Throw me out. Tell me to fuck off. I can’t seem to do it on my own steam. I need help. So help me. Please.”

Quote:
He’d meant for this one to be playful. Lah did dah, frolicking around in the piles of fluffy lace pillows like a couple of horny bunnies. As always, though, things took a turn. Straight into a place he’d never been, had no procedure for, no rules, no training. No clue. First, it was that searing, electric moment of connection, staring into her beautiful eyes as he started to push his cock into her. Then that shivering, aching swell of emotion, as the pleasure intensified into something unbearable. The laughter petered out, the smiles faded. They just stared into each other’s eyes, awestruck. All he could do was hang onto her and fuck desperately. Something was happening to him, something huge and unstoppable. As natural as the sun rising, and just as miraculous. He had to close his eyes against it, bury his face against the pillow to muffle the sounds he was making, soak up the hot damp from his eyes. They clung to each other as his body hammered against hers. She clawed at him, raising herself, inciting his frenzied thrusts with her clutching fingers, her wild cries, and he was blasting off, oh God. She found her way over the brink with him, and they were flung out together by the force of it, across infinite inner space inside their minds but, amazingly so, together. He didn’t lose her, in that lonely place. They were fused. One glowing, perfect entity.

Quote Nick:
Listening to him groan and hiss, racked with shudders of pleasure. Finally, he grabbed her hands, pulled them away. “Stop,” he muttered thickly. “Cool it. Not yet. I have big plans for this hard-on.”

Stretching the muscles for a bloghop day *grin*

This is similar to the Book Blogger Hop, but I thought we should do it anyway!

From Parajunkie:

* To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
* Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
* Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
* Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
* Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
* If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
* If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!



I've never participated in a bloghop before but I'm definitely up for some fun this friday :) Anyone who haz a question for me, feel free to ask *grin* I've actually got a review and giveaway of Inez Kelley's Samhain novel; Myla By Moonlight (PNR/Fantasy romance) active on the ROOB blog, home of the ROOB-Posse where I'm part of :)

Review: Addictive manlove from Cameron Dane - Devlin And Garrick

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Devlin And Garrick
by Cameron Dane
ISBN 978-1-59578-708-8
Liquid Silver Books
June 2010

Genre: M/M Contemporary Erotic Romance
Main Character: Devlin Morgan and Garrick Langley
Book #2 in Seeking Redemption series
Book Origin: Personal E-Book Library

Cover Summary:
Devlin Morgan and Gradyn Connell have one thing on their minds when they meet in a bar one Friday night in San Francisco. One good, hard fuck.

After the hell he’s been through, Gradyn knows the young man sitting at the end of the bar -- with his sweet nervousness and beautiful face -- is just what he needs. And Gradyn has absolutely no problem getting up to say hello.

Devlin knows inviting muscle-bound, tattooed Gradyn to his motel room is the riskiest thing he’s ever done, but there’s something in the man’s warm green eyes that tells Devlin everything will be all right.

One explosive encounter in Devlin’s room is the plan. Only, it turns out one hot fuck isn’t enough for either man. Dinner afterward leads to another round in bed, and what follows is a weekend together that stirs more emotions than either Devlin or Gradyn ever expected to feel.

Fast forward five years. Devlin has never forgotten Gradyn but he has moved on with his life. That is, until he walks into his sister’s workplace and comes face to face with the man from his wild weekend in San Francisco.

Except, this man is calling himself Garrick Langley. This man is a shell of the man Devlin remembers and hardly looks like the same person. And the biggest kick in Devlin’s gut? This Garrick Langley pretends he doesn’t know Devlin at all.
No. Fucking. Way.

Devlin doesn’t care what this man looks like or that he has a new name. Garrick Langley is Gradyn Connell, and they both know it. Devlin is a lot more secure in his own skin now, and he wants answers. This Garrick had better look out because Devlin won’t stop until he uncovers every one of Gradyn’s secrets.

My Review: DEVLIN AND GARRICK is one of those novels you easily lose yourself in to, not because of the suspense but because the chemistry between two people is just that good, it keeps you succumbed to the pages in order to find out how their happily ever after will come to be. When I read the blurb a few weeks back it was initially the mystery which intrigued the daylights out of me because, what had happened to Gradyn/Garrick between that weekend with Devlin and the present? You can imagine that upon the moment I got an e-mail informing me this novel was up for purchase I hit the buy button. Color me surprised when it wasn’t the mystery that grabbed me but Devlin and Garrick themselves whom kept me firmly rooted in this novel.

Through the memories of both Devlin and Garrick I found out what happened between them during that weekend spend together. The past storyline is alternated with the present one and blended seamlessly together. That particular weekend in San Francisco, Devlin was a twenty-three year old, ready to explore gay sex but quickly discovers this weekend isn’t going to live up to what he had in mind. Surrounded by the beat of techno music he runs in to Gradyn and after some thought Devlin accepts his offer to “get out of here”. What started as a one night stand quickly becomes more…

I got to meet Devlin as a younger man who was ready for a deeper exploration of his gay sexuality and the direction his life was taking. He was full of questions, unbridled passion, laced with a bit of innocence and inexperience. The present gives a picture of a confident man with a job he loves, friends and family and only his love life leaves a lot to be desired.

Gradyn/Garrick is a man with a secretive past, he is all easy going charm but he can also brood. While Devlin is all openness, Garrick is closed off at times. When Garrick is relaxed you get to meet the real him; caring, humorous and sexy but there always that tinge of edginess that kept me on my qui vive there was more to him then meets the eye. His secrecy has him holding back and while the reason for this attitude is credible I also found them easy to discover.

Between these two main men it was instant attraction from the moment they met. It’s instinctual, undeniable and catching both men off guard by the developing force of their feelings. I was taken in to that dingy hotel room which became the backdrop for such intimate moments shared. Their chemistry was an inferno blazing through the pages with a range of emotions encompassing all they felt but the passion ruled above any other. It was Devlin’s first time and it turned out to be sweet, scorching, devouring and demanding. Everything Devlin might want but didn’t think he would get. Garrick was all sexual enthusiasm yet also the more experienced man who knew what he wanted and how.

This is what made me love this book so much, the emotions burning between Devlin and Garrick, not only in that wild weekend and the six month of e-mails and phone calls after that. It was the present too where all these bottled emotions flares to life again. Both male characters had distinct voices allowing me to connect to them on every level. I must say the mystery is the weakest ingredient, it provided tension between the two men, lots of unanswered questions, but it got solved in two or three days which made it feel rushed and underdeveloped. I think it could’ve added so much more to this story and was a bit disappointed to see it dwindle so fast in the present storyline to a predictable level. On the other hand the romance, the absolute need to crawl in to another man’s heart, body and soul, was overwhelming all other elements with its intensity. It’s portrayal by the author made me believe everything that came to pass between Devlin and Garrick.

With a supporting cast of friends, family and neighbors it completes this story. Chloe and Shaw added some innocent perspective, Grace and Maddy some female friendship and Wyn Ashworth as a cop friend will hopefully receive his own story soon. I really hope we get to see the attraction develop between him and Maddy.

DEVLIN AND GARRICK is above all a M/M romance where two men enraptured me in their journey. The sex is addictive as it is scorching, the emotions brimming the pages and Cameron Dane’s voice easily envelops the reader in the story told. I’m glad I got to know Devlin and Garrick!

4 stars

Quote:
Gradyn tilted Devlin’s head back and brushed their lips together with the softest caress. “I want this to be as good for you as you were for me. I don’t want you to regret your first time.” The piercing depth of his gaze, and the crush of his hand curled around Devlin’s nape, pulled an answering constriction out of Devlin’s chest. Gradyn scraped their mouths together again, and said roughly, “I don’t want you to regret me.” Oh, holy hell. Devlin’s knees went a little shaky. He grabbed onto Gradyn’s forearm and lifted on his toes until their foreheads touched. “I will never regret you.” His blood raced with heady speed as he said those words, and knew he meant them. “No chance of that.” “You are something special, beautiful.” Gradyn tightened his hold around Devlin’s waist and rocked them in a slow wave. “How are you so fucking sexy and sweet and incredible and bold all at the same time?” He shook his head, as if dazed.

Quote Devlin:
Oh, sweet merciful gods. Devlin couldn’t keep the ridiculous cat-who-caught-the-canary smile off his face. I’ve been fucked. And not just for the sake of it, not just to say he’d done it, as had been his original plan when coming to San Francisco. Rather, he’d been fucked thoroughly, properly, and well. By a somewhat scary looking, but sweet-as-hell under the hard exterior, guy. I can’t believe I lucked into meeting him.

A new Warrior of Poseidon cover revealed....

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (September 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425238105
ISBN-13: 978-0425238103

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Main Characters: Christophe & Fiona Campbell
Series: Warriors of Poseidon series, book #8
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Cover summary:
Poseidon’s warriors have learned that the battle to protect humanity produces unexpected enemies--and alliances. And one of the most powerful of all Atlantean warriors will soon find both…in one daring beauty.

A warrior’s mission, a woman’s desire…

What could Christophe, powerful Warrior of Poseidon, have in common with Fiona Campbell, prim and proper Scottish illustrator of fairytales by day and notorious jewel thief known as the Scarlet Ninja by night? Answer: The Siren, a legendary Crown Jewel that Fiona has targeted for her next heist. It’s said to be worth millions, but to Christophe it’s invaluable. For the Siren also happens to be one of the missing jewels from Poseidon’s trident.

And the unnatural evil that could destroy them both.

But breaking into the Tower of London is a two-person job, so Christophe and Fiona team up to commit the crime of the century. As newfound passions fire their motives--and cloud their judgment--they realize they aren’t the only ones after the priceless gem. A dark force is shadowing their every move, and threatening to shatter their trust with revenge, betrayal, and a haunting revelation about the past.

I found this cover at Alyssa Day's blog

I find this cover totally different in vibe than its seven predecessors but the man candy is oh so good again. I don't know about the rest of you but reading the blurb gives me all kinds of good shivers! I love the sound of Fiona and the plot good for a few chills and thrills. This is a release that is so going to be pre-ordered!! 

Review: Hot manlove with Cameron Dane - Grey's Awakening

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GREY'S AWAKENING
Cameron Dane
ISBN 978-1-59578-560-2
Publisher: Liquid Silver
Genre: Male/Male Erotic Romance
E-Release: June 2009

Characters: Greyson Cole and Sirus Wilder
Series: Cabin Fever series
Book Origin: Personal E-Book Library

Cover Summary:
Greyson Cole needs to get out of Raleigh. Everywhere he turns, he sees people falling in love, getting married, and starting families. It’s enough to make a grown man want to rip out his own hair. And for a cynic like Grey, one more employee getting engaged signals the need for a long overdue vacation. Grey owns a cabin in the mountains that he has never even used, and he figures that’s just the ticket out of this nightmare of happily paired up couples.

Grey doesn’t expect to be greeted by a belligerent, half-naked man the minute he opens his cabin door.

Sirus Wilder has known Grey’s twin sister for years, and she has given him permission to stay in the cabin while his residence across the lake is under repair. Sirus has never met Greyson Cole before, but he is thankful when the man lets him share the cabin for a few days. There is plenty enough room for them each to keep to themselves. Sirus has had his heart broken and isn’t interested in a hook-up, let alone something more.

Even so, Grey is, hands-down, one of the sexiest men Sirus has ever seen. Too bad he’s an arrogant ass and his eyes are so damn cold. Every once in a while, though, Sirus thinks he sees a hint of fiery passion in the controlled man sleeping one room away.

For Grey, one look at the roughly handsome Sirus puts Grey’s celibacy pact in serious jeopardy. One problem: Grey doesn’t believe in love, has even less patience for relationships, and he refuses to get mixed up in another messy romantic partnership that can only end badly.

Two weeks. Two hard men. Both running like hell from love.

Look out. Something’s gotta give.

My Review: GREY’S AWAKENING is a highly erotic charged M/M romance with the trope of two opposites irrevocably attracted to one another. Sirus Wilder and Greyson Cole experience lust at first sight but their personalities rub each other the wrong way creating a sizzle neither can deny. Past bad relationships keep both Sirus and Grey on guard with each other, reminding themselves over and over that what they have is just a vacation fling…

This is basically the foundation of the story, there isn’t much more going on and still I enjoyed this story from first till last page. A lake, a cabin and two interesting men, that is all it took for Cameron Dane to create a decadent gay romance. I would almost say this author is a minimalistic writer in storyline but the passion, the interaction and the issues are all well drawn. I think it has more to do with the fact that the author keeps a minimal cast of characters and really revolves the story around Grey and Sirus. They have an instant attraction going on but for it to be taken a step further, for their feelings to truly matter and be acknowledged, they have several issues to work out.

Grey has been shaped by his passed and thereby erected walls around his most vulnerable place…his heart. He is a self made man who keeps a leash on his deepest desires and doesn’t let go easy. He has a take-charge attitude which has its good and bad sides but when he does fall in love, he does it with a force and loyalty that becomes a sweet prize after all the struggles.

Sirus is a truck driver who owns his rig and is an artist in his free time. He is open, passionate, easy-going and just about the opposite of Grey. He bears emotional scars of a relationship gone horribly wrong and yet remains a compassionate man.

Both men are easy to like and from page one, where Grey and Sirus meet in that cabin, a physical force simmers between them going from flirtatious sexy to fiery hot. I gobbled up the pages with the flowing voice of Cameron Dane, empowering the eroticism with it but the characters even more so. The focus completely rests with these two protagonists, their issues and their budding emotions that demand a deeper commitment from both of them. This author gives nothing more yet the story is so very enjoyable to read.

What really stood out for me is the sexual tension between Grey and Sirus which I got practically from first page. I got that tension in a steady ‘squirm-in-seat’ heat level from the moment Grey watches Sirus play with himself. It didn’t lose any steam whatsoever and from there issues arise that challenge that tension to become a deeper connection, combining the sex with the emotions of the heart. These two elements go hand in hand for me to make the HEA a good one.

Cameron Dane gives a passionate delight of a M/M romance which drew me in and pleasantly kept me invested in the two leading men; Grey and Sirus. Before I knew it I had read the entire story, it wasn’t overly intense or dramatic, but I came to care for Grey and Sirus nonetheless. Along with hot and heavy sexing GREY’S AWAKENING was devoured in hours.

3,5 stars

Quote Sirus as he stumbles on to Grey in the cabin:
Of course, why would Kelsie mention her brother's near physical perfection? It wasn't as if Grey enjoyed bending over for a stiff dick, had wet dreams about a mouth full of thick cock, or had fantasies of coming like a geyser all over another man's body. Sirus imagined himself standing naked and Grey moving to him, sinking to his knees...

Quote Sirus:
Those hazel eyes of Grey's, studded with flecks of gold, held Sirus locked in a sensual hold, tying him up in a frightening mixture of needs, wants, and pure desire. Unable to walk away, no matter the foolish risk, Sirus pushed Grey's head to his cock and forced the man's hot mouth down on his length, succumbing to the physical bond between them that neither one of them could deny.

Shakin' my orange pom poms for the Netherlands...

Oh yes, the World Cup fever has infected me and I had to change a bit of my blog to give mental support to my team:

As you can see orange is our national color and when I discussed the fever of the "orange legion" (and this sounds so much better in Dutch) on twitter with a couple of gals I got the idea of showing everyone how far the Netherlands is willing to go to support there team.

I think on no.1 is flags, we decorate our houses and windows with it:

And this one gets waved a lot too:

We've actually got a competition whose street is decorated the best and though I couldn't find much pictures I hope you get a general idea:

When we are done with our houses we of course have to flaunt our love by dressing in the best *achem* haut couture to scream to all other soccer lovers from other countries; WE.LOVE.OUR.TEAM!!!!

 <- I'll be dead before I'm evah going to wear that...what is that? A hat inspired by our queen or something *frowns* I do have to admit I have the hat next to the flag, and no, I'm NOT going to show you pics of how I look like!!! I'm kind off like a "in the closet" orange legion dresser <- how many times I'm gonna say it, it doesn't get any better...

Even babies are indoctrinated to cheer for the orange legion, in the spirit of the motto; Catch them while their young. Oh yes, do we teach them while there young! They can't object, they just look around at all the bright colors like orange, red and blue. They gurgle the chants, the have drolly grins and wave with their hands at all the images. This is what we dress them like:

See, they don't stand a chance, once their clothed in these outfits, they're drafted for life *grin*

So this is the spirit we're in these days:

And I don't know if this guy is cheering again at the Dutch soccer games but he was so easy to spot and became another mascot for the orange legion :)

Today the Dutch team has to go up against Denmark at 13.20 hours PM my time and I'll keep you all posted via twitter how the game is going, you can follow me; @leontine1976

I hope this is going to be an incredible World Cup with lots of exciting matches, fair play and incredible soccer moves!

PS: Does any of you know books with baseball players, football, soccer...any kind of sport player for a hero? I know of Bella Andre and Jill Shalvis but they can't be the only one's out there with these kind of heroes, right? 

Winners of Beefcake night & Jessa Slade guestpost

Just a quickie to announce the winners of Thomas Rodin's beefcake night, I will contact Amanda McIntyre who she will pick but I already let random.org pick my winner of MASTER AND THE MUSES.

Commenter number....

Which is...Elaing8 YAY Congratz hon, contact me with your addy and I'll send you a copy this week via BookDepo :)

Next up is  a choice between a copy of SEDUCED BY SHADOWS or FORGED OF SHADOWS by Jessa Slade...

Commenter number....

Chey...you won. Make your choice and let me know your addy so I can send Jessa Slade the info :)

Congratz both!

Cover Discovery: Lora Leigh - Styx's Storm

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley (October 5, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425237397
ISBN-13: 978-0425237397

Main Characters:
Series: Breeds, book #22 o_0
Genre: Erotica
website author

No blurbs as of this moment so anyone heard any rumors what-so-ever about this book??

This is a snippet I found at her blog about the overall series arc but mainly about Cassie. Read the whole blogpost ~here~ I still remember her, the girl from my favorite Breed book to date...now I instantly want to re-read ELIZABETH'S WOLF *sigh* and I still have somewhere around 10 Breed books to read before I'm completely up to par with this recent release in the series...

So if I'm not getting my booty in to gear here the Breeds will contain too many books that I still have to read and it will become a monumental task just to catch up. I do not like monumental tasks on my shelves :)

Anyhoo, here is the snippet of info:

Please be patient. Cassie is part of an overall idea that is slowly developing.

I can't write Cassie, until other parts have released. Styx's Storme is a very important part of Cassie's growth experience. It's also an important part of Dane's upcoming story. Though his story too is still a little bit away.

I have so far 25 Breed books still to go, and more characters just keep popping up.

25 books to go o_0 25!!!! OMG, I'll be like *counting years in my mind* in my *whispers* 40 errrrrrr 50-ish years when I'll read ~The End~ I'll be old although if I have to believe my parents being in your 50's is the new 40. HHHmmmmm, somehow I believe I'll still read erotica books when I'm 90 and sucking on an oxygen tank *grin* I'm so getting off track here! But when I stumbled on to the cover of STYX'S STORM I just had to share it with you all, I love it, the color tones, the man candy, the white wolf *aaaahhhhoooooo* Okay that was my pathetic attempt to do a shakira howling wolf ROFL

I hope you all have a great weekend, I'm getting ready to become a part of the orange legion...in other words, getting house decorated in orange. Go Dutch soccer team at the world championship in Africa :)

Jessa Slade visits my Realm on her FORGED OF SHADOWS blog tour

I'm very excited to welcome Jessa Slade here in my Realm. She demanded my atention with her debut Urban Fantasy SEDUCED BY SHADOWS and I immediately grabbed my chance to be a part of her FORGED OF SHADOWS blog tour. I hope you'll have a blast with her today as Jessa will talk about her writing altar...what can I say; I love to find out about the habbits of others and I love to get a "behind the scene" look *grin*  Thanks for that Jessa!

Hi, Leontine! Thanks for giving me a place to play today on my FORGED OF SHADOWS blog tour. Since you have so many great pictures on your blog (my favorites are of all your bookshelves, although the man chest isn’t bad either!) I thought I’d share some of my visual inspiration.

Ever since I started writing seriously, I’ve had a writing altar. It’s a place where I put all my treasures, my creativity prompts, my dreams, my successes, and even some of my more spectacular failures. It’s not a particularly fancy altar, just a stack of plastic trays which hold—among other things—my dictionary and thesaurus, the folder with all of my rejection letters over the years, and printed notes on my stories.

Those are the building blocks of my writing, but it’s the top shelf—the aerie—from where the inspiration takes flight. (Or plummets to its doom, but that’s only on the bad days.) Here’s a picture of the altar on my desk:

A bit chaotic looking, I know. An accurate reflection, I suppose, of my creative process. But when I pause from writing to look up, there are little details that lift my spirits.

First, in the foreground is a note card my mom sent me after I sold my first book. It’s art from Gerhard Glück, called “Feuerreifen,” which I believe translates to ‘ring of fire.’ The picture shows a snail preparing to jump through a fiery hoop. I love this picture. (Mr. Glück, if you’re out there Googling yourself, please email me. I’d love to link to your website, if you have one.) The snail’s shell is festively painted in stars though there’s hardly anybody in the audience. I imagine most of them have gone home since it’s very late. From the smoke coming up, it appears the ring has been on fire quite some time while we wait for the snail to make her move.

It’s a perfect, if not particularly subtextual, representation of my path to publication.

Next to the card is a Chinese chop. Chops are engraved seals. I got mine while on a family trip to China. The artist didn’t want to sell this one because it is broken, sheared right through the middle of the marble. But the foo dog lions are so delicately carved. The poorly glued base reminds me that perfection isn’t necessary. It’s what you build out of your weaknesses and failings that matters. The seal on the bottom reads “Tell good tales.” A friend gave me the adventurine bracelet wrapped around the chop. Adventurine is allegedly a good luck stone that clears the heart chakra and improves creativity. Definitely need that on a romance writer’s altar!

 

 

At the back of the altar, I keep an American Beauty rose dipped in 24-karat gold I won in a writing contest. I usually did poorly in writing contests because for every two judges that loved my writing, the third judge hated me. So I rarely finaled and never won. Until the 2007 Golden Rose writing contest. Not only did I win, but the final round judge—an editor—wanted to see the whole story. And eventually, she bought SEDUCED BY SHADOWS, the first book in my Marked Souls series. The rose reminds me of the Gertrude Stein quote: “Rose is a rose” etc. It reminds me to be just the thing I am, a writer, that’s all. Well, the dipped in gold part is kind of pretentious, but that’s me too!
 

In the very back of the altar, almost wallpaper, is the collage of my work in progress. This one is for FORGED OF SHADOWS, my current release and book 2 of the Marked Souls. I always thought collaging was silly—until I tried it! Now I love to go through trashy, bright and glossy magazines (with scratch and sniff perfume strips!) and find words and images to represent my story. It helps me hold the whole story in my head at once, which can get tricky over 100,000 words. When I start to falter, I can just look up and get a burst of color, texture, key words, and power words. Then back to the computer.

Lastly, on the first shelf down from the top shelf, I keep a copy of my current release. A friend who saw my altar asked why the book—the real live book!—didn’t have a place of honor on the top shelf. It took me a awhile to think why. But I guess it’s because the book—as wonderful and glorious, as dream-come-true as it is—is really just the last wonderful, glorious step of a long and often inglorious journey. The altar is where I make my offering to my writing. The book is my offering to the reader.

I wonder, does anybody else keep a sacred place of sorts, a home for your dreams? Maybe it’s a notebook or scrapbook. Maybe it’s a box of precious memories or future plans. I’d love to hear how others inspire themselves. And maybe you can post a link to a photo of your place in the comments so we can share.

Thanks, Leontine, for hosting me today.  

GIVEAWAY: Let’s give away a copy of Book 1 or 2 of the Marked Souls to a random commenter. If you’re not sure which one you want, check out the opening chapters at http://jessaslade.com/  Giveaway ends June 13th 2010.